After P took me out for a night on the town in Nancy (we agreed that Place Stanlislas at night is the most beautiful plaza in all of Europe), we had a beautiful breakfast with his parents and set off to Deutschland.
Three countries in two days? It’s all too much.
Every time I opened my mouth to speak in French, the realization that I should be speaking German hit me. I didn’t even know how to say excuse me! What a terrible, terrible tourist I am.
Because my lovely host is only half skinny French man, and other half German, he and his family love to head over to Germany when they can. We went to Saarbrucken, a town just over the border of France.
After shopping for a little while (I got a fabulous purple scarf for the rough winter ahead) we headed to a typical German restaurant, where of course they brew their own beer. Because it was the feast of St. Martin, I ordered turkey with potato dumplings and apple cabbage.
Afterwards we headed to a local art museum. Never before had I realized what amazing German artists there are (since living in southern France, home of Cezanne, Matisse, Picasso, I have been more concentrated on les francais). We checked out the main exhibition, and then on a jeté un œil at the main exhibit, on Karl Schmidt-Rottluff. His work was vibrant and colorful, just like the images I was used to seeing in the south. In fact, he was one of the pioneers of German expressionism. Who knew?
Karl Schmidt-Rottluff (1884-1976). Corner of a Park (Parkecke), 1910. Oil on canvas, 83.5 x 75.5 cm (32 7/8 x 29 3/4 in.). Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich.
Finally, before we headed home, we took the 4 heure. We walked into the bakery, and the smell of sweet pastry was overwhelming. I got a dense creamy apple cake to go with my coffee, and we sat in the booths and watched the crowded restaurant as people rushed in to escape the cold.
Soon, the dream was over, and we were in the car going back to Verdun. Merci à P et sa famille pour cette très belle visite!
Brenna Archie 
I’m currently pre-planning my summer vacation. Since I only spent two days in Paris on my first and only trip to France, I definitely want to see it again. I’m actually thinking of taking 28 days and traveling around Spain and France. Since you live in France, if you had two weeks to travel around, what would be the places on your must-see list and things to do on your must-do list? Also, do you think that since I want to travel around France for about two and a half weeks, that I could detour and spend that half in Luxembourg and Switzerland?
Since your friend is half French, half German, is he good at selecting wines and beers?
You could spend 28 days only in Paris! I love love love that city and there is always something to do.
I would definitely go to the South. If you will be there during the summer it will be BEAUTIFUL. I lived in Aix-en-Provence, the home city of Cezanne, with easy access to towns the region by public transport; Nice, (from Nice you can to go all of the coastal towns along the sea, visit the Chagall and Matisse museums) Orange, Avignon, Arles, and of course Marseille. All well worth a visit!
I have not been, but I really want to go to Biarritz (a surfing town) and then head to the Basque region in Spain. The food is supposedly great and cheap!
Finally I would also recommend Normandy – the American memorial in Caen, and the D-day landing beaches. There are plenty of charming towns by the sea where you can eat carmels and butter! yum!
I liked Luxembourg but I prefer Monaco in the south, which is easily accessible from Nice 🙂
My Franco/German friend actually doesn’t like beer! Can you believe it?
Thank you for the recommendations.
I definitely want to visit the Riviera and Monaco. I was planning to visit there last summer but had too much fun in Italy. There is a nice, top-rated hostel in Nice that I want to stay at.
I think what I can do is start in Paris, go to Luxembourg, detour to Geneva, then down to Grenoble and Nice. After the Riviera, I can head west to Barcelona and start my Spanish exploration.
Doesn’t like beer? That’s a travesty! Ha ha
I’ve never been to Nancy, but I’m certain that the Grande Place in Brussels gives it a run for its money. I did the assistant thing after I graduated from college – it was a great experience! Sounds like you’re doing it right so far! 🙂
Saarbrucken is an end of Germany I have seen nothing of. May have to round the bend and take a look.
Though please do not say it will be a rough winter. Enjoy our scarf in the nice mild winter that I ordered. Last year was insane and cold, I DO NOT want to deal with that again.
I want your life please.
traveling without money is always an adventure! I have a new website http://www.fabuleuxdestinbrenna.com with updated travels 🙂